Star Fruit – It is a 5-Star Grade Fruit

Star Fruit, with a scientific name of Averrhoa Carambola L., is a fruit plant that can grow in the tropical and subtropical regions. It has a very high nutritional value.

Star Fruit is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 12 meters high, which is consider small. It can grow many branches, with dark gray to dark brown bark. It has a long florescence period which is April to December and fruiting period is between July and December.

The fruit comes with 5 ridges, rarely in other numbers. The size of the fruit can be from 15 to 25 cm long and 5-10 cm wide, with pale green or waxy yellow color, some species is even with dark red color. Seeds is about 1 to 1.5 cm long, oblong shape and dark brown in color. When the fruit is sliced transversely, it looks like a star and this is how it got its name.

The fruit is very juicy, and tastes like a collection of grapes, mangoes, and lemons. It was said to be originate from Sri Lanka. There is also another saying that it was originated from Malaya and Indonesia. Now, it is widely cultivated around the world of tropical and subtropical regions. Because it has high oxalic acid content, it is not good for those who have kidney problems.

The plant like high temperature and humid climate and could not withstand cold weather. It also like lumpy and thick with humus rich soil for it long and deep roots. It is very afraid of frost, long drought, and dry hot wind. It also prefers a shady place rather than strong sunlight, especially in the flowering and fruiting period.

In China, it is widely cultivated in provinces like Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Taiwan and Yunnan.

There 3 main spices which are widely cultivated:

Malaysia

United States

Taiwan

Malaysia Sweet Star Fruit –

Its tree is the tallest and it grow the fastest. Fruit is juicier with average weight of 200 to 300 grams. Not only with high edible rate of 96%. It is last longer in storage and transportation.

American Red Star Fruit –

Similar with Malaysia Star Fruit tree but the leaflet slightly more brittle. Leaf is a bit pinkish and flower is purple red. Fruit is smaller with 150 to 250 grams, excellent to be eaten fresh.

Taiwan honey silk Star Fruit –

It comes with the highest productivity, it can harvest 5 to 6 times yearly especially in the hot weather and places with heavy rain. It can be harvested almost all year round. Though the fruit size is only between 150 to 200 grams but the fruit is most tender, juiciest and sweet.

The fruit has high medicinal and nutritional value. It content a well composition of sucrose, fructose and glucose, and malic acid, citric acid, oxalic acid, vitamins, trace amounts of fat and protein as well. It can help digestion and nourish our body. Except for kidney disease patients, it is generally good for all.

Carambola can reduce the body’s absorption of fat, lower blood lipids, cholesterol, prevention of hypertension, atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. At the same time, it can protect the liver and reduce blood sugar. In addition, carambola carbohydrates, vitamin C and organic acid content rich and abundant fruit juice, can quickly add to the body of water, thirst, and body heat or poison of alcohol excreted with urine, the elimination of fatigue.